Rock gently in the mild breeze, slip into a hammock and crack open a coconut, assuring that the hours, days or may be weeks’ slip by calmly. That’s Mirrisaor for you! It is a small town located on the Southern Cost of Sri Lanka in the Matara District of the Southern Province. Situated at an elevation of 4 meters above the sea level, Mirrisa lies at a distance of about 240 km from Colombo and 4 km south east of Wligama. It is a small yet quickly developing beach of Sri Lanka.

Modern resorts envelope the beach and there is a myriad of simple cafes along the sand that may well seem to appear and vanish with the tides. At present, the government is taking measures in context to the sand encroaching constructions and has put an absolute ban on it for the time being however, since the tourists visiting here is rising every year, the ban may soon see a lift. None the less, the beach and the nightlife here make it a prominent tourist attraction. Being a massive fishing port, people swamp in large numbers to fish here. Other activities common here include dolphin and whale watching.

Whale watching spot comes at the top amongst the major attractions in Mirissa. You can find a number of operators around this area offering trips to the Indian Ocean for dolphins, whales, and turtles spotting.

Location: Harbour Road, Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

Timings: Usually, the whale watching tour starts early in the morning around 6-7 AM and lasts for 4-5 hours approximately. The ocean gets rough due to sunlight in the afternoon, hence, it is difficult to spot a whale in the water at this time.

Price: The average cost for whale watching is Rs. 2500 - 3500. However, if you are a group of 4-5 people, you can negotiate the prices to get a better deal.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to spot whale is from December to March as the ocean is not rough during this time.

Distance from Mirissa: This place is located around 15-20 KM away from Mirissa beach.

The secret beach of Mirissa is not a secret anymore as it is easy to reach and well signposted nowadays. It is one of the amazing places to visit in Mirissa for capturing some beautiful moments and epic photographs.

Moreover, most of the beaches in Mirissa are crowded so the secret beach is the perfect place to relax and sit in a peaceful environment.

Location: Secret Beach Mirissa, Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Timings: Open for 24 hours.

Price: The best thing about Mirissa beach is there is no entrance fee for it.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit this beach is either early in the morning to relax or in the evening to enjoy an incredible sunset.

Distance from Mirissa: This beach is located at a distance of approximately 1-2 KM from the heart of the Mirissa town. You can reach a secret beach in several ways like you can choose to walk, hire a moped or take a tuk-tuk. However, try to start early if you’re planning to go on a walk, otherwise, it will be 20 minutes of hard work in direct sunlight on a steep pathway.

If you want to enjoy a sunset dinner at a lovely restaurant then do not miss to visit Mirissa Beach. It is one of those attractions in Mirissa where you can find plenty of great restaurants offering a variety of seafood.

Although you will find this beach a little crowded yet, it will give you a very relaxing vibe.

Location: Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

Timings: Open for 24 hours.

Price: Visiting Mirissa beach is free of cost. In fact, you can enjoy the Lion beers on free sunbeds at a very reasonable price.

Best Time to Visit: The beach gets busy from 11 AM so it is recommended to visit this either early in the morning to avoid the crowd or in the evening to enjoy a lovely sunset.

Distance from Mirissa: Once you reach Mirissa from Colombo, you can easily found this exotic beach as it is only a couple of KM away from the Mirissa railway station.

Another one of the amazing places to visit in Mirissa is to climb up the Parrot Rock. This small and easily accessible rock will give you a stunning view of the Mirissa area. This is a place which will take your mind away from work and stress.

It is a very quiet place where you can relax watching surfers in the high tides of water. You can also chill out in the nearby restaurants of this place.

Location: Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

Timings: Open for 24 hours.

Price: You don’t need to pay any price for visiting this place.

Best Time to Visit: You can come early in the morning to enjoy with the low tides and the amazing morning sea breeze. Visiting it in the evening is also a great idea if you want to enjoy wrapping up activities looking at the breathtaking sunset.

Distance from Mirissa: The parrot rock is located to the left side of Mirissa beach. So once you reach Mirissa beach you can easily get on this rock to have an excellent sea view.

One of the unique and unusual places to visit in Mirissa is Coconut Tree Hill. Located at the end of Mirissa beach, this place is completely covered with palm trees.

It is one of those attractions in Mirissa, which are great for taking pictures of all the tall beautiful palms overlooking the ocean. You can also enjoy a well-deserved coconut at this place to add an extra memorable element to your journey.

Location: Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

Timings: Open for 24 hours.

Price: No entry cost.

Best Time to Visit: Being in the proximity of the main beach; it is recommended to reach this place early in the morning or before sunset.

Distance from Mirissa: You can reach this place by taking a short walk from Mirissa beach. It will take 10-15 minutes approximately walking along the beach to reach this beautiful spot.

It is a relatively smaller beach alternative if you want to avoid the crowd. It is quieter, serene and a great place for surfing beginners. At times fishing boats outnumber the tourists, especially in low season.

In addition to being a top surfing destination, this beach is also an excellent place for Instagram lovers. You can also take a few photographs with iconic stilt fishermen, a practice rooted back to World War II.

Location: Weligambay Beach, Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

Best Time to Visit: It is an amazing place to have breakfast or lunch with your friends and family.

Distance from Mirissa: Weligambay beach is located at a distance of 6-7 KM from Mirissa so you can always take a tuk-tuk to your destination. It will not take more than 10-15 minutes.

Mirissa is just a small town of Matara district so without a shred of doubt Matara beach comes amongst the popular beaches of Sri Lanka. You can enjoy long walks by the shore, taking surfing lessons, and beachcombing at this wonderful place.

Furthermore, if you are not into the mood of taking a walk or any surfing lessons, you can simply read your favourite novel gazing at the ocean in between. And post that, you can take a bath in the sea water if the tide is not so strong.

Location: Matara, Sri Lanka.

Best Time to Visit: Just like other beaches; try to get there early in the morning or before sunset as it gets crowded in the afternoon. Moreover, do not visit it on the weekend because being a major town in the country, it can get heavily crowded on weekends.

Distance from Mirissa: Being a major district of Sri Lanka, it is well connected to every major city and town in Sri Lanka. From Mirissa you can take a tuk-tuk which will not take more than 30 minutes to reach this beautiful beach.

If you want to have a great afternoon party with surf vibes then one of the amazing places to see in Mirissa is the doctor's house. It is a 200-year-old Dutch and Ayurvedic hospital which is located at the beautiful beachside village of Madiha.

You can have a delicious breakfast, wood-fired pizzas, snacks, and desserts from midday until 10 PM. This place also offers some of the exciting activities such as Surfing and Snorkeling which will give this place a permanent spot in your memory.

To travel to Mirissa, you’ll need a visa. A visa for tourist to spend holidays in Sri Lanka can be easily availed online.

Keep away from touts here.

Water prone diseases like Dengue and Malaria are common here. Stay alert.

Carry with you a strong mosquito repellant.

Avoid visiting Mirissa during the period of civil unrest.

Weather here is unpredictable. It can rain anytime and anywhere so carry extra layers of clothing.

Do not indulge in drugs here.

Never let anyone mislead or take advantage of you.

Travel in vehicles only once you have a fair idea of the fare that it takes to move from one destination to another. If that is not possible, opt for metered taxis or autos.

Do not photograph is places that restrict you for the same.

Never film or shoot videos without permissions.

Do not flash your valuables in public places.

Keep your valuables in room safe.

Make sure you have a copy of your license and passport with you.

Carry with you cash that is needed for your travel. There are ATMs everywhere, so make use of them.

Never practice nudity in any city of Sri Lanka.

Dress appropriately.

Learn few words from the local language to better communicate with the locals.

Drink only bottled mineral water.

Get comprehensive medical and travel insurance.

Q. Drinking Laws

The legal age for drinking in Mirissa is 21 years.

Q. Our Recommendations: What you can’t afford to miss?

Weligama

Weligama is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mirissa city. Although it is not exactly within the city but is located just 4km away in the outskirts. One can just wander around and watch the fishermen catching fishes. You can also spot the fishermen selling fishes nearby in their small shops. You can choose to stay at the hotels in the vicinity which offer great deals and facilities.

Galle

Galle is filled with numerous collections of beautiful Dutch forts. One can just wander around and explore the beautiful old architectural structures in the neighbourhood. These beautiful forts were built by the Dutch in the beginning of 1663 and they hold a lot of historical significance. Today, the fort area is surrounded by small boutiques, cafes and hotels. These historic forts have gained the status of UNESCO World Heritage site which attracts more tourists than usual.

Matara

Matara is just 12km away from Mirissa city but tourists who visit the city also come here. It is full of hustle and bustle and majorly known for the commercial purposes. One can find everything here right from hospitals to modern supermarkets. There are a lot of eateries so you can also enjoy the local dishes at a reasonable price here. Visit the place just to know how things operate here, it will open up a whole new perspective for you.

Q. What will you like there?

Snorkeling

While you’re staying here, you must definitely try snorkeling. The water levels here are best for such sports and tourists really enjoy it. Those looking for water sports will have a great time indulging in these sports. Some of the resorts even offer you snorkeling gear at a rental basis which you can temporarily use while on your tour.

Surfing

Surfing is another important thing to do that can be enjoyed at Mirissa city. This sport is not meant for everybody and only those who have proper training are allowed to do it as it can be a little risky. There are various training institutes that teach surfing to tourists on a short trial basis. If you want to enjoy surfing, learning and then applying it can be really enjoyable. Surfing gear can be easily bought or rented through the hotels along the beaches.

Long walks

You can just enjoy the calmness and the tranquility of long walks and experience the blissful gift of nature that the city provides. There are several pleasant walking paths and beautiful viewpoints where one can stroll around exploring the nature at leisure. When you are tired of the day or just want to explore the city, walking can be a great activity. If you have a companion along with you, it can be even more enjoyable.

Whale watching

Whale watching is a must do activity if you're visiting Mirissa city. This is among the best experiences and one cannot simply miss it. There are large whales in the sea surrounding Sri Lanka and you can spot them at the right places. You have to book and reserve your tickets to enjoy whale watching at Mirissa city. Although the tickets are a little costly, the experience is totally worth the price.

Ayurveda Spa treatment

A Spa is the best place to get complete relaxation. Especially when you are on a tour, your body needs physical relaxation which a nice spa can provide. You can just rejuvenate yourself and forget about the stressful life you are leading. The spas here use ayurvedic techniques of massaging which are said to be quite effective.